TECH CRUNCH - Mastodon, a non-profit organization offering an open-source decentralized social networking platform, experienced a 488% increase in donations, totaling €325.9K (~$341,985) in 2022. The growth in donations followed Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter, driving more support via Patreon and Stripe. Mastodon plans to establish a U.S. non-profit branch and enhance user-friendliness, focusing on growth and moderation tools. The platform reported reaching 1.8M MAUs and expanding to 9,686 servers by the end of 2022.
Mastodon's Donations Surge 488% in 2022, Reaches 1.8M MAUs Amid Twitter Chaos
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TikTok Testing $4.99 Ad-Free Subscription Tier
TECH CRUNCH - TikTok is reportedly testing a $4.99 ad-free subscription tier for its U.S. users. This subscription would offer an ad-free experience within the TikTok app. However, it would not cover influencer marketing or sponsored content. TikTok's move into ad-free subscriptions follows similar initiatives by other social media platforms, such as Twitter (X) and YouTube, and aims to diversify revenue streams while maintaining a robust advertising business.
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X to Partner With Paris Hilton for Livestream Shopping
TECH CRUNCH - X (formerly Twitter) is partnering with Paris Hilton for a livestream shopping event. The feature will allow X users to watch livestreamed videos, chat with others, and shop simultaneously. This move reflects X's efforts to become an "everything app" and explore new ways to engage users, including video, live shopping, and Spaces. While specific details and the start date of the livestream event are not provided, this collaboration highlights X's focus on creator-driven content and monetization.
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BeReal Counters Decline Reports, Claims 25M DAUs
TECH CRUNCH - BeReal, a social app that initially gained attention with its unique front-and-back photo concept, disputes recent reports of declining user traction. While Similarweb data indicates a decline in MAUs in the U.S., BeReal insists it's still experiencing healthy growth. The app, which gained popularity due to its college ambassador program and unique features, faces competition from social media giants and new entrants like BeFake.
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X (Twitter) Pays Creators ~$20M
TECH CRUNCH - X (formerly Twitter) has paid out ~$20M to creators participating in its premium program. Creators can earn a share of ad revenue generated from ads served in replies to their posts. To be eligible, users must subscribe to X Premium, have more than 500 followers, and earn ~5M tweet impressions in the last 3 months. This move aims to incentivize creators to engage with their audience and boost conversation on the platform.
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Discord Resolves Outage Caused by Unusual Traffic Spikes
TECH CRUNCH - Discord experienced a significant outage due to unusual traffic spikes, causing temporary service disruptions. Users reported issues with logging in and viewing messages. The outage began in the early morning and affected users across the platform. Cloudflare investigated the issue, revealing that legitimate traffic got caught in its filters.
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Norway Seeks EU-Wide Ban on Meta's Tracking Ads Without Consent
TECH CRUNCH - Norway's data protection authority has asked the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) to decide if its ban on Meta's tracking and profiling of users for ad targeting without consent should be applied EU-wide. This move could lead to a blanket ban on such tracking ads if the EDPB agrees. Meta may respond by asking users for permission to run personalized ads. However, it has continued to flout Norway's order and sought a court injunction against it, which was rejected.
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Meta's Threads Struggles to Compete Against X
INNOVATION VILLAGE - Meta's social media platform Threads is struggling to attract users compared to its competitor, X. Threads ranks near the bottom of popular social media platforms in the US, and its user base is significantly smaller than that of Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Meta has been releasing new features to make Threads more appealing, but it needs to establish a unique identity to compete effectively in the social media market.
by Tapiwa Matthew Mutisi
See full article at Innovation Village
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Universities Weigh Pros and Cons of Student-Made 'Fizz' App
GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY - Fizz, an anonymous social networking app used by students to stay connected, is raising concerns among higher-ed administrators due to potential cyberbullying and misinformation. While Fizz provides anonymity, it can also encourage abusive behavior. Some universities have promoted Fizz to enhance student engagement, but there are mixed reactions and criticisms about its impact on campus life.
by Brandon Paykamian
See full article at Government Technology
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